Illusions: Paranormal Shapeshifter Romance (The Seekers Book 1) by Carina Wilder

didn’t hear a thing,” Hedy said. “I’m so sorry. I seem to be going stone deaf in my old age—not to mention that I’m ashamed that I didn’t see it coming. My powers are not what they once were, as I’ve said.”
    “It’s not your fault. I should never have left her,” replied Sera, her voice filled with remorse, self-hatred and every negative element that could be contained in such a lovely woman’s words.
    “We’ll get her back, Sera,” said Hedy. “We’ll find a way.”
    “Yes. We have to. But I want to kill those men, Hedy. I want them dead for this.”
    Rohan watched as Hedy took Sera’s hands in hers. “You know that you’ll be stronger if you bond,” she said. “We’ll have a better chance of dealing with them. No woman has yet taken on the Guild and succeeded, but if you come into your full powers you may just be able to fight them off…”
    Sera collapsed onto the ground, her face in her hands. “I know,” she said. “You’re right.” She looked up. “All right, I’ll do it. Whatever it takes. I’ll perform the Bonding, if it will save Circe. I’ve put it off long enough. Maybe if I hadn’t been so stubborn, this would never have happened.”
    Hedy laid a hand on her head and stroked her hair. “Good girl,” she said. “But don’t blame yourself; you could not have prevented this. And I promise—it won’t be the awful ordeal that you think. It’s actually quite pleasant.”
    “I can’t imagine anything being pleasant right now. Please, Hedy. Speak to the Crones. I need to do this as soon as possible. I need Circe back.”
    “I’ll speak to them right now; they’re all waiting in the middle of town anyhow. Meanwhile, you and Nyx need to come stay at my place. You’ll be safe there; I’ve cast a few spells on the entry points. There will be no tearing off of my doors in the near future.”
    “Thank you,” said Sera, whose voice betrayed her defeat.
    Over the next half hour or so, Rohan found himself pondering a great number of things as he watched Serafina pack up her things. This Bonding that she and Hedy had spoken about. Was it anything like the Ritual?
    In the meantime, perhaps it was time he located this Guild, this group of bastards, and paid them a quiet visit. If he could liberate Serafina’s sister, maybe he’d find a way into her good graces before she’d bonded with another man. He wanted every chance that he could get to be with her. And the more he was exposed to her scent, her face, her everything , the more he was certain that they were to be together.
    He bounded off, shifting into his wolf form as he sprinted back towards his cabin in order to gather some food and clothing. He would likely end up going on a reconnaissance mission; overlooking the territory to uncover this organization of kidnapping men.
    But when he arrived at the small house in the woods, he found a group of old women waiting for him.
    They were congregated just inside the house, in a circle, their faces showing signs of age and wisdom, reminiscent of Hedy’s own.
    Their eyes fixed on the animal who stood on the doorstep, apparently unfazed by his presence.
    “We’ve been waiting for you,” said one of them. “Rohan of Dundurn.”
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    W hen she’d finished packing her things, Sera made her way to Hedy’s with Nyx sitting on her shoulders. She’d always liked her neighbour’s house with its white-painted, wooden interior, which made its inside seem brighter than its outside. And as Nyx sprinted around the small living area, Sera nearly managed a laugh, his quick dark form in such stark contrast to the walls.
    “I’m off to rendezvous with the Crones, but I’ll be back,” Hedy told her, her face contorted in sympathy. “Courage, sweetheart. Your sister is wise beyond her years. She won’t get herself killed.”
    “I know,” said Sera, a weak smile the most that she could muster. “I’ll be waiting for your return.”
    She sat down on the surprisingly